NASA Budget Cuts Draw Threat of Presidential Veto

NASA Budget Cuts Draw Threat of Presidential Veto

A 2013 spending bill that would fund NASA’s commercial crew program below the level President Barack Obama requested drew a veto threat as the U.S. House of Representatives was preparing to begin debate on the proposal. The $51 billion Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act for 2013 (H.R. 5326) that the Republican-led House began debating on May 8 would fund NASA at $17.56 billion next year — the lowest level since 2008 and some $150 million less than President Obama requested for the agency.

In a Statement of Administration Policy, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cited the below-request funding for NASA’s commercial crew program as among the reasons Obama would be likely to veto H.R. 5326 if it reaches his desk as is.